HASBROUCK HEIGHTS - The Hasbrouck Heights football program has had a long illustrious history of success.

But the Aviators have never won three state sectional titles in a row - that is until now.

Hasbrouck Heights made it back-to-back-to-back championships with a 13-7 win at Shabazz on Nov. 17 for the North 2, Group 1 crown. It also earned its 32nd victories in 33 tries over the last three years.

It was a little of everything that put the second-seeded Aviators (11-0) over the top-seeded Bulldogs, from passing to running to a stingy defense that contained a Shabazz offense averaging 35 points per game coming into the final.

"The feeling is unexplainable," said senior Jasiah Purdie. "It's a blessing to win three straight in a row. Not too many teams have the opportunities to do that, but every year it starts with the linemen and slots and the coaches that contribute to the team."

Purdie caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Spencer Lee with less than three minutes left which turned out to be the difference in the game.

Then it was the Aviators' defense that made sure the potent Shabazz offense did not come back as junior back Zai'heer Jenkins snatched an interception with a minute remaining in the game.

In the first half the Aviators possibly set the tone for the game. With the time running down, Heights drove down the field. That included Purdie gaining a first down on a fake punt deep in Shabazz territory.

Then on a fourth-and-goal, Purdie took the handoff from Lee and appeared to head toward the Shabazz defensive line. But then he jumped up and shoveled a pass to senior Sean Calhoun, who was all alone in the end zone for a 7-0 Heights lead with a little more than four minutes left in the second quarter.

When the Aviators were lined up for a field goal, Shabazz went offside which pushed the ball to the Shabazz 2-yard line before Purdie hit Calhoun.

"The pass to Shawn was a trap," said Purdie. "We just simply kept running the same play. Once we got them to jump offsides on the field goal we decided to hit them with the jump pass. I jumped up and Shawn got open and he did a good job focusing on the ball for the touchdown."

There were contributions from several different Heights players. Lee completed 9 of 15 pass attempts for 99 yards and the one touchdown.

On the ground, junior Michael Robertson ran 17 times for 40 yards and Lee ran six times for 30 yards.

Though Jenkins got the key play on defense, there were several other defenders who contributed. Senior Anthony Marino and junior Matteo Ochoa recovered a fumble each. Ochoa had a big day with nine tackles. Another junior, John Sedlmeir, also had nine tackles and Purdie contributed with seven.